Top Secret, Eyes Only: Keeler "Christmas Card"

The Keeler Chief Operatives(AKA "Mom" &" Dad"):

Work together as a team along with their Covert Operatives (AKA, "The Children")

Brett Keeler: Poses as a Prosecutor by day, but leads a double life by night as a superb father to 5 "Children". Often he sneaks away to go Fishing in which he has become expertly skilled. Periodically you can find him training other followers as a "Sunday School Teacher". He has also been recently seen picking up ukuleles and guitars.

Brooke Keeler: Is skilled in her craft, and continues to advance daily under the expert training on patience by her "Children". Brooke has been very active the last few months and has been spotted hiding under the alias of Ms. Baltimore Crabs in their stake musical play. Within the last few weeks she has been discovered Fronting as a Chime Choir director to her "Children's" homeschooling group. Homeschooling the "Children" keeps her busy, but not too busy for her next ploy. There has been some chicken feed that She and her Co-hort are currently organizing a handcart trek that will take place in devil's gate and surrounding areas. This project is still in early stages of development, but is definitely underway. We want all Agents to follow her and be Trigger on this!

"The Children"

Amber Keeler: Poses undercover as a very responsible youth, just 11 years old, but will give you the Smack Down with her quick ability for learning, the piano, hand bell chimes, ballet dancing, and has been seen picking up the violin over the last few days. She continues to advance in domestic skills and caring for the other "Children" she is very obedient to the Chief Operatives.

Brenna Keeler: may be most dangerous decoy of the bunch. Don't let her charming, personality, adorable smiles, and thoughtful cute pictures fool you! She also trains in Art, the piano, ballet dancing, and has operated under the alias of "Fan" scrooges little sister in A Christmas Carol.

Spencer Keeler: his endless energy and non-failing endu

rance will tire out the most experienced and skilled Chief Operative. He excels at back and front flips on the trampoline, shooting fellow operatives with Nerf dart guns, but don't be deceived by this "tough-guy" persona. He moonlights as a caring big brother to his younger "siblings," and loves to cuddle-up with "mother," and "father" while they read him stories.

Bonnie Keeler: Is one of their greatest defenses. She fancy's her "Big Brother" and leads a double life as Dr. Jekyll; with her cute little curls, darling little voice and all the adorableness of a 3 (almost 4) year old; and Ms. Hyde; has a piercing scream that will take any opponent down! Don't mess with this!

Evelyn Keeler (AKA, Evy): Has been held hostage by the Keelers for the last 19 months. Innocent, darling, adorable, angelic, sweet and little dolly are the string of adjectives used to describe her on a regular basis. She is a true prize to any that get to have a brush pass with her.

Thirty-Two

As a Preface,

I have to say that this is my blog, but knowing that others read it (not so much anymore because I never post, so I'm not as worried! :) I try to keep it a little, LITTLE light on the religious side, but as I was telling my friend the other day, anything of worth or value in me is absolutely connected to God and religion. So while I have kept it light, I always feel like I'm not REALLY conveying who I am or what I think. Nuff said! My blog, not going to hide in that aspect. Ok Preface is over. :)

Today I am a newborn 32 year old. What do I really have to say about 32 years? I guess it's kind of a middle ground. Well, almost. 40 is probably more of a middle ground because it's not uncommon to live to 80. So at this point, I have more to look forward to than backward. Sooo.... I am very excited and look forward to who I will become, and also watching what my Husband will become! I see many of the gifts Heavenly Father has given me and very much anticipate finding more that wait to be discovered! I see the trials that I face and have faced, and thank my Father for the strength, wisdom and experience that they gift me. I have been blessed so greatly, and I look forward to 32+ more years of serving my Father and seeing all the ways that I will be privileged to bless the lives of others. I look at my list of 100 goals and as I see a few slowly coming to pass, I can't wait and am so excited to see how the others will unfold! I love my dear, dear friends that I have made and am grateful for the further opportunity to make more! I love the little challenges in my life that show me what I really CAN do. I can't wait to see all the ways that I will get to serve the Lord! I'm so grateful that I am only 32, which gives me a little bit more time to become more like our Savior, and Joseph Smith (I'm terribly fond of Joseph too! I am especially fond of the fact that people were concerned that he was too playful! Yep! That's the ship I'm after! :). I am so grateful for the opportunity that I have everyday to grow a little bit more spiritually. I look forward to sharing with and watching my children experience life and succeed in it.

So, I conclude that 32 is good. It will be one more good year, and I am excited to see all the progress I have made when I return to this day once again a year from now.

"Back Then"

I'm sure most people have never heard of "Back Then" before. It's a game our children made up, and they named it "Back Then" . It goes something like, they dress up as pioneers and pretend to be void of all the luxuries that people "Back Then" didn't have. :) Well, today I got to totally play "Back Then"! On our Trek for youth conference. ;) Yes we did one of those Pioneer Treks. I have to say, it was fun, and I enjoyed it! But then I was a leader, and the leaders didn't have to push the cart. However, I did come away with a few impressions.
First: The Pioneers crossing of the plains was a great Blessing for them! Now I know that I am looking on the glass more than half full side, and quite overlooking the children's bloody foot prints in the snow! Of course, aside from that, I just thought what a blessing this must have been for them! While they are crossing the plains, sacrificing and struggling, helping each other and watching out for all in the company... What other way could they have formed such strong ties and bonds, not only with each other, but with their God??? When they have tasted the death of their loved ones and been so desperately close to it themselves, and finally make it to the end of their horrific journey, to find open arms waiting with food to feed their starving mouths, and blankets to ensconce their tired souls. With somewhere more to sleep than a wagon or the ground and the absolute relief of having finished! What could be closer to going home? What more powerful demonstration of the tender mercies of the Lord could you find, than actually falling into his arms? I say, Blessing! But then I begin to get a taste of my own opinion when the thoughts like, "Hmm. Sounds similar to your trials"....start coming into my mind. I KNOW! I KNOW!
Second: They (I believe) had more abundant opportunities to taste the sweetness of life. As I was walking I had no urgent responsibilities on my mind other than, well, walking and moving the cart along. As this was a menial task, I had time to think! Yes! THINK! Reflect! On things, life, pray, and think some more!! This NEVER happens! There are always a million things going on!!! There is TOO MUCH going on!! Crying children, schedules, meals, diapers, meetings, messes, lessons, maintenance, shopping, e-mails, phone calls, texts, activities, the list goes on and on!! You know what I'm talking about! There is SO much! Unless I schedule an appointment, I don't get time with my brain! But I did! And as my mind wandered, it began to reflect, and remember the sweetness in life. The things that really matter. Family, people, relationships, not just with those I know, but just with everyday interactions. Those 5 beautiful little faces that look up to me in every sense, and my Husband. My family, and those people around me whom I may serve. I could see now. I already know this, but at the moment, I wasn't being blinded by all these other preoccupations and the computer screen/I-phone right in front of me! Too often it seems like the sweetness in life gets in the way of all the other things that I have to do and am doing, when really, it's the other way around. And I forget. It's so easy to forget! But today while I spent time with my thoughts, I remembered, and I admired the Pioneer's menial tasks and enjoyed them while I had that time. All the while praying that I can do better to remember the sweetness in life! Our Stake President spoke, and he said, "The most important experiences happen everyday." It's so true! The sweetness of life is before me everyday! It all just depends on me answering the right call. Seeing the right things! Yes. I enjoyed the trek, and am thinking I might look into arranging one for my own family. I think it would be a wonderful experience! Wanna join? ;)